Ferris State University is hosting the 2013 Michigan Teen Conference on Wednesday,
June 19 and Thursday, June 20 at the Big Rapids campus.

The conference is for teens and young adults ages 14 to 21 who are preparing to exit
foster care, their caregivers and the professionals who work with them. The program
is designed to help those in foster care or independent living learn about money management,
educational opportunities, employment, healthy relationships, housing and more.

The keynote presentation on Wednesday will feature Kinetic Affect, spoken word performers
Gabriel Giron and Kirk Latimer. The Kalamazoo-based duo teamed up in 2007 to challenge
beliefs, push boundaries, embrace differences as they work collaboratively to increase
awareness of local and global issues.

Thursday’s general session is titled, “The Music on the Elevator to the Top,” featuring
guest presenter Reco Spencer. Spencer, who spent 18 years in foster care, works to
help youth reacquire their dreams and motivation to succeed.

“This statewide conference is for youth leaving foster care and the professionals
who work with them,” said David Pilgrim, vice president for Diversity and Inclusion
at Ferris. “The young people will be offered workshops about education, employment
and leadership.”

Workshops will feature topics related to budgeting/money management, college support
programs, employment, funding resources, goal setting, housing, legal rights, self-advocacy,
social media, young adult voluntary foster care and youth empowerment and resilience.
The “Walk through Life” will feature stations on education, employment, finances,
housing, identification and transportation. On Thursday afternoon, “Walk through Life”
will provide an opportunity for youth to put into practice many of the life skills
they acquired during the conference.

Attendees also will have an opportunity to tour the Ferris campus.

Conference sponsors include Dow Chemical, Fostering Success in Michigan, Lutheran
Social Services of Michigan, the Michigan Department of Human Services — Youth in
Transition, the Michigan Federation for Children and Families, and Pepsi.

Janette Ward, the Ferris Youth Initiative Coordinator of Independent Living, represents
the university on the MTC Planning Committee.